Chiang Mai Holidays

20 nights guided adventure tour of Camboda & Laos

We begin our journey in Thailand's infamous Golden Triangle, where the frontiers of Burma, Thailand and the Lao Peoples Democratic Republic meet. From there you'll travel by river and road through the unspoilt mountains and jungles of remote northern Laos to the ancient capital, now World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang. After exploring the beautiful temples and colonial architecture of what is acknowledged to be the best preserved city in SE Asia, the itinerary takes you to the contrasting, contemporary capitals of sleepy Vientiane and bustling Phnom Penh, before a 3 day visit to the fabulous, ancient imperial capital of the Khmer empire - Angkor - one of the seven wonders of the modern world.

Highlights

• Chiang Mai
• Chiang Rai
• Golden Triangle tour
• jungle trek
• hill-tribe villages
• boat trip on Ou River
• temples and colonial architecture of World Heritage Luang Prabang
• Ruined Cities of Angkor
• Phnom Penh
• scenic Cambodian countryside
• Sangker River trip
• local food.

Itinerary

• Day 1: Departure from London

• Day 2: Morning arrival in Bangkok and transfer by Thai Airways to Chiang Mai, the cultural and historical capital of Northern Thailand. Afternoon free to relax or explore this charming, friendly city and an evening tour of the famous night-bazaar. (For those wishing to arrive a day or two early in Chiang Mai, various options include spa treatments or a Thai cookery class?)

• Day 3: Leisurely morning to recover from your jet-lag by the pool or wander around one of the local markets before an afternoon drive through the mountains to neighbouring Chiang Rai Town, main commercial centre for the infamous ‘Golden Triangle’ region – so called because of it’s former notoriety for warlords and opium cultivation.

• Day 4: Day tour of some of the main sites of this far northern region: beginning at the bustling trading town of Mae Sai on the Burmese Border and on to Sob Ruak where Burma, Laos and Thailand meet, for a visit to the unusual Opium Museum, before following the Mekong River via the historic, ruined city of Chiang Saen to our day’s destination, the scenic riverside town of Chiang Khong.

• Day 5: Time to cross the Mekong into Laos itself where we’ll begin with a visit to a traditional village of the Lanten people led by our host, the local school teacher, before continuing upcountry with a scenic drive though mountains and dense jungle to the remote town of Luang Nam Tha near the Chinese border. Accommodation at a beautifully situated eco lodge on the banks of the Tha River.

• Day 6: Day trip into the surrounding Nam Ha National Protected Area to hike through some of the spectacular scenery and visit some of the local hill-tribe villages to discover the traditional way of life of the area’s ethnic Akha people.

• Day 7 Drive across the mountains of Oudom Xai Province to the picturesque village of Nong Khiaw on the banks of the Ou River. Stop-offs to visit a Hmong village and a hill-tribe market on the way and overnight in traditional Lao style wooden chalets set high on the banks overlooking the river.

• Day 8 Boat ride down the Ou River, winding through mountains, limestone escarpments and pristine forests to the ancient Lao capital of Luang Prabang.

• Days 9 & 10: Nestled in the mountains, long isolated from the outside world, we’ll discover World Heritage Site, Luang Prabang’s fabulous temples, taste Lao delicacies (and the famous Lao beer!) in riverside cafes and stay in a converted French colonial villa. (Day 9 is a walking tour of the town including the National Museum & former king’s palace, Wat Xiengthong and Phu Si Hill Temple, with day 10 at leisure to explore the handicraft markets, temples or try out the famous herbal saunas.).

• Day 11: Day trip through the surrounding hills to visit the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls and to discover the fascinating, traditional village life of some of the local peoples.

• Day 12: Morning flight to the Lao capital of Vientiane and afternoon tour of some of the city’s fascinating sites; markets, temples and museums.

• Day 13: Flight to Phnom Penh and check-in to a small, comfortable, downtown hotel close to the historic riverfront quarter. Afternoon introductory walking tour including the Grand Palace, Silver Pagoda and lively waterfront area.

• Day 14: Day tour of some of the sites of Cambodia’s fascinating capital city; the infamous Killing Fields site and the highly moving Khmer Rouge Genocide Museum at Tuol Sleng, the Russian Market and finishing perhaps with sundowners at the famous Foreign Correspondents Club?

• Day 15:Up country through Cambodia’s scenic countryside to the small provincial town of Siem Reap in Western Cambodia – our base for the next few days and jumping off point for the nearby Angkor Temple complex. Stops on the way at the famous ‘spider village’ of Skuon, (tasting not compulsory), the rarely visited but well preserved 10th century temple of Kuhananokor and lunch by the Tonle Sap Lake. A dusk visit to the atmospheric ruins of Ta Prom completes our day.

• Days 16 & 17:Angkor – an unforgettable two-day tour of this fabulous site – it’s vast jungle clad temples and mysterious stone carvings: a comprehensive tour of the major sites, plus some lesser known ones, including sunrise and sunset visits. (A detailed itinerary for our Angkor visit is available upon request.).

• Day 18: Free morning in Siem Reap: explore the market, checkout the handicraft school or unusual landmines museum before an afternoon trip to some of the more remote Angkor sites such as Banteay Samre and sunset at the little visited Bakong Temple.

• Day 19: Spectacular boat journey across the Tonle Sap Lake, past the ‘flooded forest’ and Prek Toal bird sanctuary and on down the Sangker River and it’s floating fishing villages to the town of Battambang. Afternoon to check out the town’s French colonial architecture. (If water levels are low in March and April, this journey will be overland.)

• Day 20: Continue on through this little visited region of Cambodia via the hilltop temple of Phnom Sampeu to the Thai border at Pailin -, famed for it’s gemstones and as the Khmer Rouge’s last stronghold - and on to Bangkok for an evening departure for London.

• Day 21: Morning arrival in London

Fitness level: Easy to moderate - maximum trekking 4-5 hours on day 6.

Accommodation: Hotel, eco-lodge, guesthouse, chalet.

Transport: Minibus, boat, local bus, pick-up truck, flight.

Please note: Our emphasis, as usual, will be on small, family run accommodation, traditional food and local transport to give you a real feeling for and genuine insight into these fascinating cultures and stunning landscapes.

Useful information:

Currency:Thailand - Thai baht; Laos & Cambodia - US$ is widely accepted

Language:Laos - Laos; Cambodia - Khmer

Visa:Required for Laos & Cambodia (Laos: US$50; Cambodia: US$20)

Time difference:Approximately 7 hours

Price includes: Flights, all meals (except lunch and dinner on days 10 and 18), accommodation (based on 2 persons sharing), activities and transport.

Single supplement: No single supplement - single people are most welcome.

Ticketing information: You will be contacted by the tour operator after making your booking

1. Your confirmation email from us is notification that the tour operator has received your request and is processing it. The availability of this holiday is checked on a regular basis, however as the carrier is a scheduled airline we are regrettably unable to provide an instant confirmation.

2. If the holiday is available
   1. the tour operator will automatically process your booking and your credit card will be debited accordingly;
   2. once done the holiday will be ticketed and you will be invoiced, at this moment there is a binding contract between you and the tour operator for the holiday;
   3. if you wish to cancel the holiday after his stage you will be liable to cancellation charges as per the tour operator's booking conditions. These terms and conditions can be accessed via the link at the bottom of the page; and
   4. you will be contacted by the tour operator within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested. The tour operator will be able to answer any questions you may have.
3. If the holiday is not available
   1. the tour operator will contact you within 6* hours from the time the booking was requested to inform you of the nearest available alternative; and
   2. if the tour operator is unable to offer you an alternative which meets your approval you can cancel your request for a holiday without having to pay a cancellation fee.
4. Once you have purchased a holiday, any amendments or cancellations can only be processed through the tour operator directly. There may be a charge to effect these amendments.
5. The following extra charges will apply when booked by credit card: Visa/Mastercard - 1%, Amex – 1%. *This applies between the working hours of 9am - 6pm Monday - Friday - if your booking is received outside these hours you will be notified as soon as possible.

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